Before the chicken tender became the hottest fast-food must-have, there was the humble and hearty chicken nugget.
Its small size made it the perfect side dish, post-work snack, or, as millennials will recall, the perfect drunchie (drunk munchie).
One way that fast-food brands can capitalize on chickens current popularity, especially among Gen Z diners, is by starting small and introducing nuggets to their menus.
Taco Bell, best known for its Mexican-inspired tacos and burritos, brought back its chicken nuggets for a limited time starting on April 24. The company plans to make crispy chicken permanent by 2026.
To test the brands latest menu drop and see how its nuggets compare to chains that have been serving them for decades, we tried and compared chicken nuggets from six popular chains.
Heres how the six fast-food chain chicken nuggets ranked, from our least favorite to most favorite.
Cost: $3. 89 — excluding tax and tip — for an eight-piece pack at a Burger King in New York City.
Chicken nuggets hold a special place in the hearts and stomachs of fast food lovers everywhere. These bite-sized pieces of breaded and fried chicken are a quintessential fast food item perfect for dipping in sauce or just popping in your mouth on the go. But not all chicken nuggets are created equal. With so many fast food chains offering their own version of this classic, the question remains who really makes the best chicken nuggets? I decided to find out for myself by trying nuggets from 8 major fast food chains, judging them on flavor texture, and overall enjoyment. Here’s how they stacked up from worst to best.
8. Burger King
The chicken nuggets from Burger King were at the very bottom of my list. They had a good flavor, but terrible texture. The breading wasn’t crunchy at all and kept falling off. The chicken was pretty juicy, but it had an unpleasant, almost spongy texture. Overall, these nuggets were forgettable at best. Since there are many better options out there, I don’t think I’ll be ordering Burger King nuggets again any time soon.
7. Wendy’s
Wendy’s chicken nuggets were a slight step up from Burger King, but still left much to be desired. As with Burger King, the chicken itself was fairly juicy but didn’t have much chicken flavor. The breading had a bit more crunch than Burger King, but was quite salty without much other seasoning. While not terrible, these nuggets were still pretty mediocre in both taste and texture.
6. McDonald’s
The OG chicken McNugget from McDonald’s was decent, but didn’t particularly stand out. They had a classic chicken nugget flavor that was mildly appealing in a nostalgic way. The exterior breading had a satisfying crunch, but the chicken itself was a bit rubbery Overall, they tasted like chicken nuggets I ate growing up, but compared to today’s competition they’re nothing exceptional.
5. KFC
KFC’s chicken nuggets were a pleasant surprise, with a peppery breading I enjoyed. The nuggets were plump and had juicy, tender chicken inside. The breading provided a nice crunch without being overdone. My main complaint was that the pepper flavor was a bit too overpowering at times. But overall these nuggets beat out the classic chains, offering more flavor and better texture.
4. Popeyes
Moving into the top 5, Popeyes chicken nuggets were juicy and well-seasoned. The white meat chicken had great flavor. While the breading was also tasty, it had a thicker, mealier texture than I prefer. But combined with the quality chicken, Popeyes nuggets were solidly above average. The flavor and juiciness helped make up for the heavier breading.
3. Chick-fil-A
It’s no surprise that Chick-fil-A, which is known for its fried chicken, makes some great nuggets. The seasoned breading they’re known for works just as well on chicken breast nuggets, making them juicy. The nuggets had a satisfying crunch and delicious flavors. My only complaint was that they weren’t quite as crisp as other ones. You can’t go wrong with a box of these nuggets with Chick-fil-A sauce, though.
2. Shake Shack
The chicken nuggets from Shake Shack lived up to my high hopes and earned the number two spot. They were fried just right, with a light, crisp coating that went well with the soft, juicy meat. The chicken itself was very tasty, and the breading didn’t take away from that. My only complaint was a slightly bitter aftertaste, which I think came from using old frying oil. But set that aside and these were near perfect nuggets.
1. Zaxby’s
The winner of my chicken nugget tournament was Zaxby’s, which absolutely nailed texture, flavor and enjoyment. Their nuggets, or “chicken fingers” as they call them, were phenomenal. The juicy white meat chicken shone through with just enough crispy breading and light seasoning. Every bite was tender and packed a flavor punch. Zaxby’s knocked it out of the park on all fronts, cementing themselves as the undisputed fast food chicken nugget champions.
That’s it! Zaxby’s has the best chicken nuggets at a fast food restaurant, with Shake Shack coming in a close second. There are a lot of chains that sell good nuggets, but Zaxby’s had the best taste and texture. So the next time you want a nugget, go to Zaxby’s and eat some fried chicken. Just be prepared to be thoroughly impressed.
The nuggets were flavorful and juicy, with just the right amount of seasoning in the breading.
Erin: While some of the other nuggets leaned on the drier side, these nuggets were moist and would likely pair well with practically any dipping sauce. Each nugget was on the smaller side but packed a lot of flavor into a small bite.
Priyanka: Until I tried Taco Bells chicken nuggets, Chick-fil-As bite-sized chunks were my go-to. Ive had them on multiple occasions, and theyve always tasted consistently good. When eaten fresh out of the box, theyre satisfyingly crunchy, and the chicken is perfectly juicy.
You might think of them as a side dish because they’re small, but I think you should try them as a main dish by getting the bigger pack (12 pieces) with waffle fries and Chick-fil-A sauce.
Cost: $3.99 — excluding tax and tip — for a five-piece order and one dipping sauce.
However, we were invited to taste the new chicken nuggets at an early preview hosted by Taco Bell in New York City in December, so we received complimentary tastings of the nuggets.
The breading was thick and a little bland.
Erin: I thought the nuggets coating was well-seasoned, but the breading was slightly on the thicker side. Even though they went well with one of the chain’s dipping sauces—my personal favorite is the Zesty sauce—these nuggets are better as an appetizer to one of the chain’s burgers than as a main dish on their own. Burger King is known for its burgers, after all.
If youre craving chicken the next time you visit a Burger King, I suggest opting for the chains chicken sandwich or one of its chicken-tender wraps.
Priyanka: When I held the chicken nugget in my hand, I could feel its crisp texture and was excited to try it. But when I took my first bite, I thought the bread coating, while crunchy, was too thick and hid the chicken too well, leaving a slightly salty aftertaste.
I agree with Erin that the chains nuggets are a side order, best enjoyed when dipped in some sweet-and-sour sauce.
Business Insider reached out to Burger King for comment but did not receive a response.
Cost: $3.36 — excluding tax and tip — for a four-piece pack at a Wendys in New York City.
Who Has the Best Chicken Nuggets
FAQ
Which fast food restaurant has the healthiest chicken nuggets?
Chick-fil-A’s Grilled Nuggets are generally considered the healthiest option among fast food chicken nuggets. They are made with real chicken breast and grilled instead of fried, which makes them much lower in fat and calories than other options.
What brand of chicken nuggets is closest to McDonald’s?
People often say that Pilgrim’s Pride’s Country Pride Tempura Chicken Nuggets are the best store-bought alternative to McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets.
Which chicken nuggets taste like Chick-fil-A?
Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks, available at Costco, are often cited as a great dupe for Chick-fil-A nuggets. Many reviewers on the Internet say that the Just Bare nuggets taste and feel the same, with a crispy outside and a juicy inside. They are also found at Sam’s Club.